​LuXURY SALKANTAY HIKE VIA INCA TRAIL 5D/4N

Our Luxury Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu includes all the services than the others and our Extra Fine Services at an Incredible Price, What does all of this mean? It means you simply get more for your moneyThis challenging trek passes through various ecological zones, alpine meadows, spectacular 20,000ft glaciated peaks, down through subtropical forest onto the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.It is ideal for travellers wishing to get off the beaten track, but still enjoy the original Inca Trail. It is a wonderful trek taking you right from the watershed of the Apurimac to the Urubamba. We traverse through beautiful green valleys and camp next to turquoise glacial lakes. We also come across many Inca archaeological sites and enjoy a wide variety of flora and fauna.This is a very unique version of the Classic Salkantay Trek. The first two days follow one of the common Salkantay trails, but on the second day we depart the Salkantay trails to enjoy a less trodden path that connects with the Classic Inca Trail. You even get the opportunity to walk a portion of the Classic Inca Trail on the 1 rst day.Not only will you get to explore ancient Inca sites and discover beautiful mountain landscapes, but you will also have the opportunity to hone your photography skills in these environments, with the help of your expert guide, Flavio. Our special blend of photography master class and challenging trek will give you the experience of a lifetime, enabling you to learn new techniques, explore new viewpoints and share your skills with others. The trek will give you opportunities like no others in terms of night, light painting and Milky Way photography, and you will leave Cusco wishing only that you'd had more time here!

Day 01: Cusco –Moonstone-Tarawasi- Siqllaqasa Soraypampa.Quillarumiyoc – “the place of the moon stone” in Quechua – was an Inca ceremonial site dedicated to the worship of water and, more importantly, to the moon goddess “Quilla”.Quillarumiyoc itself is a fascinating site about 1 km off the highway along a dirt track accessible by road. The complex comprises a series of water channels following the course of a narrow gulley which descends from the sombre mountain overlooking the site to the valley below. These water channels flow past sacred rocks, including the great stone, carved with a geometric representation of the moon herself, which has given the site its name. The entire valley occupied by Quillarumiyoc and cut by the stream which feeds its water channels is littered with limestone outcrops – “huacas” or sacred stones – which when one looks at them as the ancients did appear to have landed there not so much from another geological region, but from another time. They stand there, enormous and imposing, some with their bases carved into simple altars and others left entirely in their natural state – for they needed no alteration from the hand of man to denote the mysterious nature one senses today and which for the Incas imbued them with religious significance.These sacred stones litter the valley, grey and immutable like an abandoned village, all the way up to the steep slopes of the local apu, or sacred mountain, which imposes itself on the visitor wherever he might be standing and seems to insinuate itself into all the photographs one takes of the site Tarawasi.-Limatambo, 80km west of Cuzco, is named after the Inca site of Rimactambo, also popularly known as Tarawasi, which is situated beside the road, about 2km west of town. The site was used as a ceremonial center, as well as a resting place for the Inca chasquis (Inca runners who delivered messages over long distances). The exceptional polygonal retaining wall, noteworthy for its 28 human-sized niches, is in itself worth the trip from Cuzco. On the wall below it, look for flower shapes and a nine-sided heart amid the patchwork of perfectly interlocking stones. Mollepata where we'll begin our trek. Following a different path to most groups we will see a variety of native plants, flowers and birds along the way and have fantastic views of the valley spread out before us. Soraypampa (3900msnm) where we start our trek 1 hour and 30 minutes Aproximately where after a short break, we will begin our trek to Humaytay lake day trek located at 4200mt 13779 feet, after the walk for 1 hour and 30 min we will see wonderful Apu Humantay Lake considered as a sacred mountain in Incan mythology.Our campsite for the night is at Marcocasa (3500m / 11482ft) from where we will have fantastic views of the snow-capped peak Rayuska (5350m / 17552 ft.). Hardly anyone camps here so we will be able to enjoy this beautiful spot in complete peace and tranquility.

Day 2:Soraypampa Tucarway Lake -Pampa Japonesa. Leaving Marcocasa we'll carry on along the trail heading for Soraypampa where we will join the main Salkantay trekking route. Once again today is fairly easy going without too much distance to cover. The views today are fantastic and we will see several high peaks looming above us. By the time we get to Soraypampa the 3 main peaks of the region, Humantay (5917m / 19412 ft.), Tucurway (5910m / 19389 ft.) and Salkantay (6217m / 20573ft.) will all be in view.From Soraypampa it's about another hour's walk to Salkantaypampa (4100m / 13451 ft.) where we will camp for the night. Due to the high altitude it can get cold at night here so you are recommended to put on your hat and gloves before going to sleep.

Day 3: Pampa Japonesa Paucarcacncha.Alter a cold night, we continue our hike to start the 3-4-hour steep climb towards the Incachiriasca pass (4850m/15908ft), the highest of the entire route, offering impressive views of the Salkantay snow peak. After a celebratory rest on the pass we will then descend towards our lunch spot at Sisaypampa, a flat area from which one can observe the Salkantay's neighboring valleys (it is possible that you will see condors in this area). After lunch we continue towards the Pampacahuana community, located next to an original Inca canal, where we set our second camp and spend the night. (B / L / D)

Day 4:Paucarcancha – Huayllabamba – KM 82 – Ollantaytambo – Aguas CalientesToday we change pace as we join the Classic Inca Trail. We begin by hiking downill for 2 hours from Pampacahuana to Paucarcancha (3133 m / 10,276 ft)). We will visit the Inca site of the same name.After the tour we will hike downhill for 5 hours until we reach Km 82, which is the start of the classic Inca trail. Along the way we will be able to see the Inca site of Llactapata. This is the first site on the Classic Inca Trail. Our chef will make us a delicious lunch at Kilometer 82.After lunch we will be picked up by our private van at Km 82 and transported to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m/9,158 ft) where we will catch the luxury train to Aguas Calientes.When you reach Aguas Calientes you will check in to your hotel room. The natural hot springs in town are a great place to relax if there is time before dinner. Dinner will be at Indio Feliz.(B/L / D)

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – CuscoYou will have breakfast at your hotel before we take a very early bus (5:30am) along the winding road to Machu Picchu to see the magnificent sunrise. Once there you will be given a 2 hour walking tour of the site.You will begin your hike of Huayna Picchu mountain at 10 AM. If you are not climbing the mountain, or after you hike the mountain, you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu before you return to Aguas Calientes by bus. When you arrive in Aguas Calientes you will board the expedition train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo you will travel by private van to Cusco and we will drop you off at your hotel. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket.(B/L / D)

Services Included:Bilingual English speaking Photographer Tour GuidePre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trekPick up from your hotel and transportation to the Bogging of the HikeFour person tent for each 2 persons.Inflatable MattressKitchen tentDining tent with tables and chairsToilet tentProfessional chef and assistant chefDuffle bag for your personal gearEmergency horse for each of youDaily morning boiled and cold water to fill the water bottles.Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas CalientesPrivate van transportation from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in CuscoEmergency oxygen bottle, medical kit and emergencyEntrance to Machu PicchuRound Trip Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu on Day 4Lodging in Aguas Calientes on night 3 of the trek (double occupancy)Dinner in Aguas Calientes on Night 3 Indio Feliz RestaurantDay 5 Lunch in Santuary lodge Hotel Located by Machupicchu1 night in Aguas Calientes at trusted 5 star hotel including breakfast and private bathroom3 nights camping.Hiram Bingham train tickets.Air bed for campingsleeping bagswalking sticksduffle bagsWine, Pisco, beer, water.Hotel crockery.All entrance fees and permitsMeals indicated on itinerary (B, L, D)All overland private transfers indicatedPrivate porter during the trail.Massage Session during 3 nights on the Inca trail.Hot Shower during the Inca trailBath and hand Towels per personA private, hand-crafted and fully personalized Deluxe from start to finish.Modern trekking and camping equipment.All meals cooked on the spot with fresh ingredients by our trained chef.Fully Trained porters hailing from local communities.All meals throughout the itinerary.All transfers and excursions as per itinerary in private service,Meals during the Trek (4 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners)..Porters to carry the main luggage (all the equipment and cooking stock).Oxygen bottle and first-aid kitsBus ticket from Machu Picchu ruins to Aguas Calientes round trip​Services Not Included:Tips for the crew (guides, porters, cooks, wranglers)What to bring:Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, a few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, warm underwear, light long pants, gloves, rain jacket)Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)Sunscreen SPF 35+ recommendedHead lampSunglassesCamera with spare batteries (batteries run down faster at high altitudes)BinocularsInsect repellant (minimum 30% DEET)Price: Private tour USD PER PERSONLOXURY SALKANTAY HIKE VIA INCA TRAIL 5D/4NPrice 20171 people: US$4950.00 per person2 people: US$3650.00 per person3 people: US$3150.00 per person4 people: US$2900.00 per person5 people: US$2650.00 per person6 people: US$2350.00 per person7+ people: US$2050.00 per person

STUDENT DISCOUNT: $35 off per personStudent Discounts apply to anyone who has a valid GREEN ISIC card at the time of the trek or is 16 years old or younger. For those using an ISIC card to receive the discount, we do need to see a copy of the card at booking. For those booking children 16 years old or younger, we need a copy of their passport at booking time. Please send all to phototourperu@gmail.comDiscountsUnder 15 years will pay as student: US$35.00Under 7 years Discount: US$50.00ADDITIONAL ITEMS:As you see in our Additional Items under Trip Overview, there are several optional upgrades you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices, but check our Overview section for more details.Huaynapicchu: $80 per personVistadome Train (One Way): $80 per personVistadome Train (One Way): $65 per personSacred Valley Tour:City Tour: $Maras Moray Tour: